Peter Cantor (died 1197), also known as Peter the Chanter or by his Latin name Petrus Cantor, was a French Roman Catholic theologian.[1] He received his education at Rheims, and later moved on to Paris, where, in 1183, he became Chanter (hence his name) at Notre-Dame. Charters show Petrus Cantor as a man active in hearing cases, witnessing documents and participating in the business of the chapter of Notre Dame.[2] Petrus was elected dean at Reims in 1196, but died in the following year in the Longpont Abbey, some time after 29 January 1197.[3] He commented on Old Testament and New Testament books.[1] His work on the sacrament of penance is especially noteworthy.[1] His work reflects Scholastic perspectives.[1]
Medievalist Jacques Le Goff cites Cantor when locating the "birth of purgatory" in the 12th century, based on Cantor's use of the term purgatorium as a noun in 1170.[4] John Baldwin's extensive study of Peter the Chanter and his circle underlines their social doctrines. Their teachings influenced the theological program of the Fourth Lateran Council.[5]
A group of Petrus' questions on the sacraments was compiled and published by Jean-Albert Dugauquier; see Summa De Sacramentis et Animae Consiliis, Louvain, Louvain University Press, 1954–1957. Petrus Cantor wrote the book Verbum Abbreviatum which was edited by Georgius Galopinus and published in 1639.[6][7] This work has been edited in the series Corpus Christianorum.[8]
The patrons of the ancient theology, who attacked the schoolmen, were Guibert, abbot of Nogent,* Peter, abbot of Moustier-la-Celle,† Peter the Chanter,‡ and principally Walter of St. Victor.§ [...] ‡ In his Verbum Abbreviat. cap. iii. p. 6, 7. published at Mons in the year 1639, in 4to. by George Galopin.